LKoS Sneak Peek in New YorkPosted at 10:09 AM (PDT) on Saturday, August 26, 2006

From Eyebeam reBlog:

On Sunday, September 17, we’ll be presenting a preview screening of "The Last King of Scotland" and a discussion with stars Forest Whitaker and James McAvoy and cinephile-turned-director Kevin Macdonald. Go to the Museum's Web site and sign up for our weekly email, and you won’t miss a thing.

Proceeds to Benefit Educational Outreach Programs of the Nonprofit Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts/Los Angeles

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 08/24/06 -- The British Academy of Film and Television Arts/Los Angeles (BAFTA/LA) and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences are hosting an Online Celebrity Tea Party and the public is invited! In celebration of the 2006 Primetime Emmy® nominees from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, proceeds from the first-ever Online auction of celebrity-designed teapots and luxury merchandise will benefit both the Television Academy Foundation and BAFTA/LA's nonprofit foundation. In the past, the teapots were auctioned at the annual Tea Party held in Los Angeles -- where they have been a sellout each year -- and this marks the first time that the public has been invited to bid on and win the coveted teapots -- all of which have been designed and permanently autographed by leading celebrities.

Hosted Online by the Clothes Off Our Back Foundation, the celebrity teapot auction begins at (August 26, 2pm Pacific Time), and will conclude at (Friday, September 15, 12pm Pacific Time).

The Clothes Off Our Back Foundation is a 501c3 organization that hosts charity auctions showcasing today's hottest celebrity attire. Items are put up for bid to the public with proceeds going to benefit children's charities. Clothes Off Our Back was founded by actors and philanthropists Jane Kaczmarek ("Malcolm In The Middle") and Bradley Whitford ("The West Wing") whose efforts, along with those of their celebrity and designer friends, have helped improve the lives of children across the globe. For more information, and to bid, please log onto www.clothesoffourback.org.

Immediately following the 58th Primetime Emmy® Awards on August 27, Clothes Off Our Back will offer clothing and accessories worn by winners, nominees and attendees on the red carpet. In addition to clothing, specialty items will also be available for auction.

The world, it seems, has always had too few men ready to abandon PowerPoint and power ties for unknown places where they might save lives. Based on Giles Foden's novel of the same title, The Last King of Scotland explores the missionary impulse that catapults a Scottish doctor, Nicholas Garrigan (played by the puckish James McAvoy), into the impoverished villages of Uganda during the 1970s reign of the infamous General Idi Amin, who is resurrected in Forest Whitaker's thunderous performance. After a chance encounter, the despot cottons to Garrigan, offering him the chance to help even more, as the country's de facto health minister—as long as he will tend to Amin's health. The doctor tries to reform the general, but ends up infected by the moral corruption; a free Mercedes convertible awakens an appetite for power he didn't know he had—and that won't stop growing. (His one voice of reason, Gillian Anderson, comes but then goes, and too soon.)

The film is an exceptional re-creation of what was once Africa's bloodiest kingdom. (All the genocide since then makes Amin's seem comparatively peaceable.) Kevin Macdonald won an Oscar for his Munich Olympics documentary, One Day in September, and then scaled slippery heights in the docudrama Touching the Void. Here he does something closely aligned with Fernando Meirelles's The Constant Gardener, with its blurry, painterly sweep of Africa, and its intrigue among imperialists grasping for pharmaceutical profits. But Macdonald spends more time probing various inner sancta—the hotel pools and modernist embassies where Western expats schmooze, Amin's taxidermy-strewn bedroom, and, above all, the dark heart of that impetuous, imperious warlord, who died in exile in 2003.

Amin's taste for pageantry, ingrained by the Scottish officers who instructed him as a child, is matched only by his appetite for savagery, and Macdonald's depiction of extreme brutality—the regime tortures suspected traitors and makes dissidents disappear—almost becomes too much. But Whitaker dominates, imposing order and thoroughly creeping everyone out—even Amin's wives freeze in fear. Whitaker's role is more regal than his turns in Panic Room, The Crying Game, or, lately, on the actors' cable showcase, The Shield. When necessary, Whitaker's errant eye signals shiftiness, and his huge smile collapses into a harrowing frown, and along the way, he issues his own imposing reminder to the world: Here is one of the most agile, vital actors appearing on any screen. Ultimately, Macdonald's updated take on Aesop's Androcles, who tamed the angry lion, suggests that some beasts can never be befriended.

Thank You from the Alinyiikira Junior SchoolPosted at 2:19 PM (PDT) on Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Dear All

On behalf of the entire community of Alinyiikira Junior School, I would like to convey to you our sincere thanks to you all for this great contribution of $8,523 towards the construction of a classroom block. The money has finally arrived and it is already on the School account.

Thank you, Thank you very much for this contribution and I assure you it is going to be put to good use. In fact after looking at the available space at the School we decided that we can embark on the construction of the storeyed structure because this will help us to maximally utilize our space. This money will be used to start on the ground floor and we intend to do this building in phases. I will be sending you pictures showing the progress of the work. The architectural drawings have already been done and the structural plans (drawings) are soon to be completed.

We shall continue to always pray for your because we have always been thinking of how we shall be able to raise this money. This contribution has really been timely. Thank you, Thank you x1000 times. Happy Birthday to you Gillian Anderson and may you live a 1000 years. You birthday and of course these contributions are going to bring change to the School, the local area and indeed the whole Uganda since the School is educating children of the Nation.

For Gillian Anderson Fans, we shall continue to pray for you so that you do not get tired of helping the School because the demands are really many though the resources are limited. May the Almighty God reward you most abundantly.

TLKoS: Toronto International Film FestivalPosted at 6:47 AM (PDT) on Friday, August 18, 2006

TIFF Celebrates The Finest In African And African-Diaspora Cinema

Ten films from 12 countries point to the imagination and diversity of African and African-diaspora cinema. Added to the line-up of the 31st Toronto International Film Festival (Sept 7-16), these titles, with focuses ranging from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to a black female messiah superhero, include six world premieres and two North American premieres.

THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND Kevin Macdonald, UK, Special PresentationWorld Premiere

On a medical mission in Uganda, Dr. Garrigan (James McAvoy) becomes irrevocably entangled with one of the world's most barbaric figures, Ugandan President Idi Amin (Forest Whitaker). Impressed by the young Scottish doctor's brazen attitude in a moment of crisis, the newly self-appointed president selects him to be his personal physician and closest confidante. Though Garrigan is at first flattered and fascinated with his new position, he soon awakens to Amin's savagery - and his own complicity in it. Horror and betrayal ensue as Garrigan tries to right his wrongs and escape Uganda alive.

I am most amazed and grateful to you for your work and support you have given me which has beyond your expectations empowered me with an opportunity of a lifetime. Through the inspiration and support of Gillian Anderson to the Buskaid Project you have made staggering efforts to generate funds in support of my studies at the Royal North College of Music. I am astounded by the way you believe in Gillian’s support of Buskaid which has thus enabled me to study at the RNCM to pursue my dreams as a violinist. As a result, I know you will be pleased that I have now obtained a first class BMus (Hons) Degree and a high distinction for my practical examination recital on violin.

I hope that you will be mutually proud of this achievement, as this is a partial reflection of the wonderful things that you make possible. I also extended my sincere gratitude to Gillian Anderson, whom without her realisation and support of my aspirations; this would not have been possible.

Thank you all, and may you continue the wonderful work that you do to empower people all over the world.

THE Times BFI 50th London Film Festival will open this year with the European premiere of The Last King of Scotland, starring Forest Whitaker as the barbaric Ugandan President Idi Amin, it was announced yesterday.

The title is a reference to Amin’s belief that he was the ideal person to govern Scotland. He felt a particular affinity with the Scots, having been seduced by its history during visits to the country. His obsession extended to wearing a kilt in the stifling African heat.

The film was made by Kevin Macdonald, the director who won an Oscar with the documentary One Day in September, about the terrorist attack on the 1972 Munich Olympics. He said: “It would be an honour to be chosen any year to open The Times BFI London Film Festival but it’s particularly great to be kicking off the 50th edition.

“I’m so pleased to be having the European premiere of The Last King of Scotland in my home city and at a festival where I myself have discovered so many wonderful movies over the years.”

The film, which will be premiered on October 18, also stars James McAvoy and Gillian Anderson. It is based on the award-winning novel by Giles Foden. Shot in Uganda and Britain, the drama follows a twist of fate when a Scottish doctor becomes entangled with Amin.

Up to 500,000 Ugandans were murdered during Amin’s nine-year reignm before he was exiled in 1979. He died in 2003.

Fox Searchlight Pictures will release the film in the UK in January 2007.

P.S. From Gillian On Her 38th BirthdayPosted at 11:53 AM (PDT) on Wednesday, August 9, 2006

"I have just heard about the $8,523 that has been raised for the Alinyiikira Junior School four-classroom block and I cannot believe everyone's generosity. What a fantastic Birthday gift! THANK YOU!!!"

Oh my goodness I am so sorry that it has taken me so long to write!!! Sometimes when there is so much going on on the personal front, one does not know what to talk about. It's all too loaded or not appropriate or basically not for public consumption. "Capiche?", as Piper says or "Know what I mean, jelly bean?" as my mom says (to me anyway) or "Do you understand what I'm saying?" which is what I say boringly and with way too much seriousness, as usual.

A -N -Y HOO, I am jetlagged. I was asleep from 12 until 2am but then moved to the bed and nothing could get me to sleep. Not bad tv, and I mean REALLY bad esp. as we currently only have four stations, or cards, even though I was losing...so I got up made toast, emailed P and thought what a perfect opportunity to write to strangers around the world!

Oh by the way, I am pregnant; which I have no doubt many of you know from the ridiculous tabloids around the globe but it so happens to be the one thing out of so much of nonsense, that is true. And I am very excited. And I am very fat.

So this year has not been about work at all really but about endings and beginnings and change and growth and pain and happiness and ultimately SLOWING DOWN. I do not mean that so much on the work front, although it has been a gift to not have to put on a brave face in front of the camera, but more on a personal front. Taking stock of what is important to me, what matters, what I actually want my life to look like.

It's hard to remember sometimes that it is our CHOICE! I have spent so much of my life responding to what is happening to me from the outside instead of instigating things from the inside based on who I am and what my beliefs are and what I want my world, my days, my little unit of life to look like. And it takes time and space and breath and patience to be able to listen to be able to even HEAR WHAT ONE WANTS, let alone make the necessary adjustments in order to create the shift.

So I am creating space to write. Finally my GOD when is she going to get that damned project off the ground?!!! How many years has it been now?!! What the hell is taking her so long! Yeah well, life. The 'L' word (the other one). And of course, CREATING LIFE. Which, I have to say, the first time round I was oblivious to the miracle and the stages and the joy. I mean, honestly, I cannot remember P kicking! Was it the hours, the FX smoke, the dummies with maggots eating their eyes out? What distracted me from such an important and momentous experience!?

And so it looks like that's gonna be it for the rest of the year. Birth and "Speed of Light" and rest and "Last King of Scotland" comes out Sept./Oct. and in the new year, around the time I have hopefully shrunk back down to something resembling a human being, "Straightheads", and then it looks like finally, filming on "NO One Gets Off In This Town". I love that script. Was looking forward to doing it in a fat suit but looks like it's gonna push. No really.

And as far as the X-F movie? I have no f****** clue. I think there's still a law suit, as far as I know the script has not been written, and as much as we all want it to take place as soon as possible, AND YES THAT INCLUDES ME, AND ALWAYS HAS, SO STOP WITH THE NONSENSE! It is out of my hands. Completely. Write to Fox guys, tell them to make it happen!

Okay it's 6:30 am and I think we're gonna walk the dog ( STAFFORDSHIRE bull terrier and no I don't own snakeskin boots) and maybe breakfast in an empty restaurant while reading the papers.

That's it for now and hopefully it won't be so damned LONG before I write again. Oh and I just got a letter from Samson who has graduated with honors and going into the graduate program and who I think will be writing to all of you who supported his education through the years to thank you. You guys have no idea how awesome it is for someone who has come from sleeping in front of the refrigerator on the floor of a shack in the South African ghetto to be going to graduate school. I mean can you imagine?!!! And also remember that there are still more students who could have the opportunity to do the same but they do need continued fund raising support. Thank you for everything you guys do. You should be so proud of yourselves.